Information transmission/reception device

ABSTRACT

While the answering machine is recording a message from a remote caller, if it is determined that an automatic reproduction request code has been inputted over the telephone, the time and day designated by the remote caller on which the message is to be reproduced is inputted as reproduction time data. Afterward, the message spoken by the remote caller is recorded as sound data. Also the time and day designated for reproduction is stored as automatic reproduction time data. When, by passage of time, the time registered by the clock circuit matches the time and day designated for reproduction, an alarm is sounded by the speaker 14. Then the message is reproduced.

This is a Division of application Ser. No. 08/428,677 filed Apr. 25,1995 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,701.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information transmission/receptiondevice for transmitting information to a remote informationtransmission/reception device and for receiving information from aremote information transmission reception device. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to an information transmission/receptiondevice capable of recording sound information inputted thereto.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various information transmission/reception devices are available, suchas facsimile machines, telephones, computers, and other variouscommunication devices. A conventional telephone with an answeringmachine function operates to allow a caller calling from a remotetelephone to record a message even when no one is present to answer thetelephone. After a message is recorded on the answering machine, an LEDof the telephone flashes, or a message is displayed on a display of thetelephone, to inform the user that a message stands recorded on theanswering machine. This is also true when a user records a messagedirectly on his or her own answering machine, that is, withouttelephoning, but by operating the answering machine.

However, there has been known a problem with conventional answeringmachines in that unless a user approaches fairly close to the answeringmachine, he or she will not notice the flashing LED or displayed messageand therefore will not realize that a message stands recorded on theanswering machine. This can lead to delay in hearing or even totallymissing important messages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome this problem, it is preferable to automatically reproducethe message at a predetermined time after recorded.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide aninformation transmission/reception device that receives input of amessage and time at which the message is desired to be reproduced andthat automatically reproduces the message at the desired time.

In order to attain the above object and other objects, the presentinvention provides an information transmission/reception device fortransmitting information to a remote information transmission/receptiondevice and for receiving information from a remote informationtransmission/reception device, the information transmission/receptiondevice comprising: inputting means for inputting information; receivingmeans for receiving information from a remote informationtransmission/reception device; sound reproducing means for reproducingsound information; information memory means for storing soundinformation when at least one of the information inputted by theinputting means and the information received by the receiving meansincludes sound information desired to be reproduced by the soundreproduction means, the information further including time informationrepresenting time when the reproduction-desired sound information isdesired to be reproduced; clock means for measuring time; andreproduction control means for, when the time measured by the clockmeans reaches time represented by the time information, controlling thesound reproducing means to reproduce the reproduction-desired soundinformation stored in the information memory means.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a telephoneFor automatically recording a spoken message transmitted over atelephone circuit, the telephone comprising: reception processing meansfor performing reception processes based on a reception signaltransmitted from a remote telephone; memory means for storing a spokenmessage transmitted from the remote telephone; determination means fordetermining whether or not automatic reproduction request data forrequesting automatic reproduction of the spoken message has beentransmitted from the remote telephone during the reception processes ofthe reception processing means; reproduction means for reproducing thespoken message stored in the memory means; clock means for measuringtime; and control means for, when the determination means determinesthat automatic reproduction request data has been transmitted from theremote telephone during the reception processes, storing in the memorymeans the spoken message and an automatic message reproduction time whenthe spoken message is desired to be reproduced, and for, when, accordingto the clock means, the automatic reproduction time has been reached,causing the reproduction means to reproduce the spoken message stored inthe memory means.

According to still another aspect, the present invention provides afacsimile machine for transmitting information to and receivinginformation from a remote facsimile machine, comprising: data inputmeans for inputting various data including sound data;transmission/reception control means for transmitting at least one ofimage data and sound data as transmission data to a remote facsimilemachine and for receiving at least one of sound data and image data fromthe remote facsimile machine; sound data recording means for recordingat least one of sound data inputted by the sound data input means andsound data received by the transmission/reception control means; soundreproduction means for reproducing the sound data recorded by the sounddata recording means; visualizing means for visualizing various data;clock means for monitoring time; memory means for storing timeinformation on time at which the sound data is desired to be reproduced,the time information being transmitted from the remote facsimile machinewhen the sound data is transmitted from the remote facsimile machine andbeing inputted by the data input means when the sound data is inputtedby the data input means; and control means for controlling the soundreproduction means to reproduce the sound data when the time measured bythe clock means reaches the time at which the sound data is desired tobe reproduced, and for controlling said visualizing means, after thesound data is reproduced, to visualize an information that the sounddata is reproduced and is retained in said recording means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the inventionwill become more apparent from reading the following description of thepreferred embodiment taken in connection with the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an answering machine according to a firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a part of a flowchart of a message record/repoduction routineof the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a remaining part of the flowchart of the messagerecord/reproduction routine of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a facsimile machine according to secondthrough fourth embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a sound recording routine of the secondembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a mature-message reproduction routine of thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schedule sound reproduction routine in the secondembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a routine according to a modification of thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a routine according to another modification ofthe second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a part of a flowchart of a mature/premature messagereproduction routine according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a remaining part of the flowchart of the mature/prematuremessage reproduction routine of the third embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a sound reproduction process routine (schedulemessage reproduction routine) according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a main routine (a main part of a schedulereproduction erasure routine) according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a schedule recording routine of the fourthembodiment;

FIG. 15 is another part of the schedule reproduction erasure routine ofthe fourth embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a remaining part of the schedule reproduction erasure routineof the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 17 illustrates how a RAM is sectioned into storage regionsaccording to the fourth embodiment; and

FIG. 18 illustrates how a storage region of the RAM at cluster No. 0stores RAM management data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An information transmission/reception device according to preferredembodiments of the present invention will be described while referringto the accompanying drawings wherein like parts and components aredesignated by the same reference numerals to avoid duplicatingdescription.

A first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1through 3. The first embodiment is directed to a telephone having ananswering function (which will be referred to as an "answering machine"hereinafter).

FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of components in theanswering machine of the present embodiment. The answering machineincludes: a control portion 10; a network control unit (NCU) 11; aspeaker 14; and a handset 13. The network control unit 11 is connectedto a telephone circuit 12.

The control portion 10 mainly includes: a CPU 10a; a RAM 10b; a ROM 10c;a clock circuit 10d; a modem 10e; and a switch SW2 . All components inthe control portion 10 are connected to each other via a bus B. The CPU10a is for executing a message record/reproduction routine representedby the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and other various processes.The ROM 10c previously stores the program of the messagerecord/reproduction routine. The switch SW2 is connected to the networkcontrol unit (NCU) 11 and the speaker 14.

The switch SW2 is for switching in response to a command from the CPU10a so that the modem 10e can be selectively connected to the NCU 11 orto the speaker 14. A switch SW1 provided to the NCU 11 is forselectively connecting the telephone circuit 12 to either the modem 10eor the handset 13. When the switch SW1 is switched from the handset 13to the modem 10e, sound data inputted from the telephone circuit 12 canbe inputted to the modem 10e.

The modem 10e is for modulating analog sound data of messages inputtedfrom the telephone circuit 12 into digital sound data for being storedin the RAM 10b. The modem 10e is also for demodulating the digital sounddata retrieved from the RAM 10b into analog sound data for beingreproduced at the sneaker 14.

The RAM 10b is for storing various data, such as data obtained in therecord/reproduction routine. The RAM 10b includes files for storing thedigital sound data of messages converted by the modem 10e andreproduction time data indicating the time, day, and date (referred tocollectively as time hereinafter) designated for automaticallyreproducing the message.

The clock circuit 10d is used for managing timing at which the messagesare reproduced. In order to properly fulfill this role, the clockcircuit 10d is continuously driven by an independent power source tomeasure the passage of hours and days. The clock circuit 10d measuresthe time and outputs a time signal when the designated time arrives.

Although not shown in the drawing, the answering machine is furtherprovided with a reproduction key connected to the CPU 10a. A user canmanually operate the reproduction key for causing the answering machineto reproduce a message stored in the A 10b in a normal manner.

When the answering machine is operating, the clock circuit 10d measuresthe time and the CPU 10a executes the message record/reproductionroutine represented by the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. At first,no message, nor time for its reproduction, is stored in the RAM 10b(i.e., S20 is NO). Assuming that there are no incoming calls in thissituation (i.e., S30 is NO), the routine will continue a waiting status.When an incoming call is received in the CPU 10a from a remote telephonevia the NCU 11 and the switch SW2 (i.e., S30 is YES), in S31, the switchSW2 switches to the speaker 14. Also in S31, the CPU 10a outputs areception sound signal to the speaker 14 and performs receptionprocesses on the incoming call. In this way, a user is informed that acall has been received from a remote telephone. Next, in S32, the modem10e converts the received analog sound data of messages into digitalsound data, so that the RAM 10b stores or records the digital sounddata.

When recording starts, whether or not the remote caller has inputted thecode for requesting automatic reproduction of the message is determinedin S40. The automatic reproduction request code, a social feature of theanswering machine according to the present embodiment, is inputted bythe remote caller to request automatic reproduction of the inputtedmessages at the time designated. If not (i.e., S40 is NO), recording isperformed in the normal manner for the answering machine.

Next, whether or not a predetermined recording lime allowed forrecording messages has passed or not is determined in S50. If not (i,e.,S50 is NO), whether or not the remote caller has terminated the callduring recording of the message is determined in S53. If not (i.e., S53is NO), the program returns to S40. If so, (i.e., S53 is YES), recordingis terminated in S54 and the program returns to the waiting status ofS20 and S30. On the other hand, if the recording time runs out while thetelephone circuit is still open (i.e., S50 is YES), recording is stoppedin S51, the telephone call is terminated in S52, and the program returnsto the waiting status of S20 and S30. Afterward, users can confirm themessage using the normal method of answering machines. That is, the userdepresses the reproduction key provided to the answering machine so thatthe message stored in the RAM 10b is reproduced at the speaker.

When an automatic reproduction request code is inputted from the remotetelephone at the start of recording in S32 (i.e., S40 is YES), thenrecording is terminated in S41 (see FIG. 3). Next, whether or not theremote caller has inputted the day on which the message is to beautomatically reproduced is determined in S60. Because the remote callerhas designated the day by inputting, for example, a number and a "#"symbol, this determination is achieved based on detection by the modem10e via the NCU 11 of these inputted data. If so (i.e., S60 is YES), theinputted data is stored in the RAM 10b in S61. It should be mentionedthat each day of the week is prestored in the ROM 10c indicated by anumber code from 1 to 7.

Next, whether or not the remote caller has inputted the time at whichthe message is to be automatically reproduced is determined in S70.Because the remote caller has designated the time by inputting numeralkeys for four digit numbers and the "#" code, for example, thisdetermination is achieved based on detection by the modem 10e via theNCU 11 of these inputted data. If so (i.e., S70 is YES), the inputteddata is stored in the RAM 10b in S71. Then recording of the message fromthe remote caller is started in S72. This starts conversion of themessage in the modem 10e and storage of the converted message in the RAM10b as sound data. Whether or not the predetermined recording timeallowed for recording messages has passed is determined in S80. If so(i.e., S80 is YES), recording operations are terminated in S81 and thetelephone connection is terminated in S82. Next, in S83, the time storedin S71 and the day stored in S61 are registered in the time circuit 10d.The program then returns to the waiting status of S20 and S30.

When the remote caller terminates the call during recording of themessage (i.e., S84 is YES), recording processes are terminated in S85and the program proceeds to S83.

After the time and day are thus registered in S83, when the time asmonitored by the clock circuit 10d reaches the registered time and day(i.e., S20 is YES), the clock circuit 10d produces a time signal.Receiving the time signal, the CPU 10a outputs alarm data to the speaker14 via the switch SW2, in S21. The speaker 14 sounds an alarm as aresult. The alarm data differs from the reception sound signal the CPU10a produces by frequency division of the reception sound data in thereception process. The user can automatically confirm that a message hasbeen recorded while he or she was absent. Next, in S22 the recordedmessage is outputted from the RAM 10b via the modem 10e, the switch SW2to the speaker 14, which reproduces the message.

As described above, while the answering machine is recording a messagefrom a remote caller, if it is determined that an automatic reproductionrequest code has been inputted over the telephone, the time and daydesignated by the remote caller on which the message is to he reproducedis inputted as reproduction time data. Afterward, the message spoken bythe remote caller is recorded as sound data. Also the time and daydesignated for reproduction is stored as automatic reproduction timedata. When, by passage of time, the time registered by the clock circuit10d matches the time and day designated for reproduction, an alarm issounded by the speaker 14. Then the message is reproduced. In this way,messages from remote callers are automatically reproduced at thedesignated time and day. Therefore, even if the user of the answeringmachine does not approach the answering machine he or she can know thata message has been recorded in the answering machine. Because an alarmis sounded before the message is reproduced, the user of the answeringmachine will not miss hearing the message.

Although the answering machine of the first preferred embodiment usesdifferent sounds for the reception sound and the alarm sound, the samesound can be used for both the reception sound and the alarm sound. Inthis case, no circuit is additionally needed for producing alarm sound.

Also, the time designated for reproducing the message need not beinputted separately from the day. If the time and day are both inputtedduring the same step, the first digit inputted could represent the dayand the next four digits the time.

In the above description, day and time is inputted as the designatedtime for reproducing the message. Alternatively, date and time can beinputted.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the caller can input anautomatic reproduction request code and the time the message is to beautomatically reproduced (automatic reproduction time) Afterward, thecaller leaves a spoken message, which is stored along with the automaticreproduction time. The message recorded from the caller to the user ofthe answering machine is automatically converted into a reproduced voiceat the designated time. Therefore, even if the user does not approachthe answering machine, he or she will hear the message when it isreproduced.

The automatic reproduction request code data inputted by the caller canbe in the form of a command data, based on which at the automaticreproduction time an alarm is sounded before the message is reproduced.Because the message is reproduced after an alarm is sounded, the user issure to hear the reproduced message.

A second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4through 9.

According to the answering machine of the first embodiment, a user willnot be able to hear the message if he or she is not present when themessage is reproduced. In order to overcome this problem, the answeringmachine should preferably be added with a function to enable the user tovisually confirm that the message was reproduced during he or she wasnot present.

It is conceivable to provide a facsimile machine with a similar functionto the above-described answering function. With this function, a usercan record a message (which will be referred to as a "schedule message"hereinafter) directly on his or her own facsimile machine withdesignating time at which the message is desired to be reproduced. (Thefunction will be referred to as "schedule message function"hereinafter.) When the designated time arrives, an advisory chime oralarm is sounded and the schedule message is played back. Playback ofthe message can be stopped automatically after passage of apredetermined duration of time or manually by operation by a user.However, the user will not be able to hear the message if he or she isnot present when the message is reproduced. A facsimile machine shouldtherefore be designed to enable the user to visually confirm that themessage was reproduced while he or she was not present.

The second embodiment is therefore directed to a facsimile machine whichenables a user to visually confirm that the message was reproduced whilehe or she was not present.

The facsimile machine of the present embodiment has the configuration ofcomponents shown in FIG. 4. As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 1 and 4,the facsimile machine of the present embodiment has a similarconfiguration to that of the telephone of the first embodiment, with theexception of additional components discussed below.

In the control portion 10, an image process portion 10g is connected toa charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor 15 at its input terminal andto the CPU 10a via the bus B at its output terminal. The CCD imagesensor 15 works in cooperation with a read light source (LED) 16 toread, as image data, a document to be transmitted. The gate array 10f isconnected between a thermal head 18 for recording received image dataand a panel 17 for performing display operations and key inputoperations. The gate array 10f is connected to the CPU 10a via the busB.

The ROM 10c stores sound recording routine represented by the flowchartin FIG. 5 and mature-message reproduction routine represented by theflowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7. The CPU 10a executes the sound recordingroutine to perform a message recording mode (which will be describedlater). The CPU 10a also executes the mature-message reproductionroutine to perform a message reproduction print mode (which will bedescribed later).

The RAM 10b stores message confirmed flag for indicating that a messagehas been reproduced and confirmed by a user. The RAM 10b also stores areproduction counter for counting the number of times at which themessage has been reproduced.

Although not shown in the drawing, the panel 17 includes a record keyfor starting sound record routine of FIG. 5 and a stop key forterminating reproduction of a message sound. The panel 17 furtherincludes a reproduction key. An operator can manipulate the reproductionkey to control the CPU 10a to reproduce a message sound, at any time,for example, after when the message has been reproduced at itsdesignated time. These keys are connected to the CPU 10a for causing theCPU 10a to perform corresponding operations.

The modem 10e will be described below in greater detail. The modem 10eincludes an internal register. The modem 10e is for converting analogsound data into compressed digital signal. The analog sound data isconverted into a compressed one-byte digital signal while being storedinto the internal register. When analog sound data is converted into onebyte of compressed data in the internal register, the signal is set upso that the signal can be retrieved from the internal register to bestored in the RAM 10b. thus, the modem 10e produces compressed digitalsignal one-byte by one-byte from analog sound data, and transfers thedigital signal to the RAM 10b. The modem 10e is also for reconvertingthe compressed digital signal into analog sound data. When the modem 10ehas completed conversion processes for one byte of digital signal toproduce analog sound data, the analog sound data is set up so that thedata can be retrieved from the internal register and transferred to thespeaker 14 via the switch SW2. Thus, the modem 10e produces analog sounddata from every one byte of compressed digital signal, and transfers theanalog sound data to the speaker.

Thus, the internal register of the modem 10e can be put into: soundrecordation state for converting analog sound data into digital soundsignal for being stored in the RAM 10b; and sound reproduction state forreconverting digital sound signal into analog sound data for beingtransmitted to the speaker 14. The state or mode of the internalregister can be changed by rewriting a value in the internal register.The value of the internal register can be rewritten by accessing apredetermined addresses allotted for the internal register.

The modem 10e of this embodiment further serves to modulate image datafor transmission to a remote facsimile machine and demodulate image datatransmitted from the remote facsimile machine.

Reception and transmission of sound data and image data is executedaccording to normal processes by the components shown in FIG. 4.

First an explanation will be provided for the message record mode andthe message reproduction print mode of the facsimile machine will beprovided. The user puts the facsimile machine into the message recordmode in order to record schedule messages to be reproduced at designatedtimes. The facsimile machine enters the message reproduction print modewhen the time designated for reproduction of the schedule messagearrives. In the message reproduction print mode, the facsimile machinereproduces the schedule message and afterward prints out a message thata schedule message has been reproduced if the schedule message has notbeen confirmed by the user.

1. Message Record Mode

First, a user who wants to record a schedule message inputs a recordcommand to the CPU 10a by manipulating a record key provided to thepanel 17, whereupon the sound record routine shown in FIG. 5 is started.At the start of this routine, whether or not the user has inputted thedesired reproduction time (date and time) of the schedule message byoperating the numeric pad provided to the panel 17 is determined inS120. If so (i.e., S120 is YES), in S121, the inputted reproduction timeis stored in the RAM 10b and the CPU 10a sets the modem 10e into themessage recording mode. In S122 the file of the RAM 10b for storingrecording data is opened. The record pointer of the file is initializedin S123. Then, the internal register of the modem 10e is put into asound recording state in S124. The user speaks into the handset 13 tostart recording of his or her schedule message. The schedule message isinputted as analog sound data into the modem 10e, via the NCU 11 and theswitch SW2. The clock circuit 10d monitors the actual time.

The modem 10e converts the analog sound data into compressed digitaldata in its internal register. Every time when the modem 10e completesconversion for one byte of digital data, the digital data is set up intoa condition that can be retrieved from the internal register.

Then whether or not data is set up in the modem 10e is determined inS130. During data is not set up (i.e., S130 is NO), the program proceedsto S140, where whether or not recording is completed or not isdetermined. During the schedule message is being recorded (i.e., S140 isNO), S130 and S140 are repeatedly executed until either S130 or S140becomes a YES determination.

Each time a YES determination is made in S130, the data in the internalregister of the modem 10e is retrieved in S131 and written into the RAM10b in S132 at the address indicated by the pointer that has beeninitialized in S123. Then the pointer is incremented by one in S133.

Afterward, when recording is completed (i.e., S140 is YES), the internalregister of the modem 10g is put into recording stop state so as to beprevented from recording in S141. The file in RAM 10b (that has beenopened in S122) that now stores the recorded data is closed in S142. Thedesignated time (that has been inputted in S121) is registered in theclock circuit 10d in S143. This brings the message recording routine toan end.

2. Reproduction Print Mode

Afterward, when the time and date measured by the clock circuit 10dreaches the designated time for a message to be reproduced, themature-message reproduction routine represented by the flowchart in FIG.6 is started. Ar the start of this routine, the file storing thecorresponding sound data is opened in S151. The message confirmed flagof the sound data file is cleared to zero in S152 The reproductioncounter is cleared in S153. Then the schedule message reproductionroutine shown in FIG. 7 is started in S160.

At the start of the schedule sound reproduction routine, as shown inFIG. 7, the modem 10e is set to a reproduction mode in S161, whereuponthe data file to be reproduced is opened in S162. The pointer forretrieving data from the file is initialized in S163. The internalregister of the modem 10e is put into a sound reproduction state inS164. As a result of these steps, the modem 10e outputs thecorresponding analog sound data to the speaker 14 via the switch SW2.The speaker 14 reproduces the sound data as a schedule message. Next,whether or not data is set up in the modem 10e is determined in S165. Ifnot (i.e., S165 is NO), whether or not reproduction has been completedis determined in S166. If not (i.e., S166 is NO), whether or not thestop key has been depressed is determined in S167. if not (i.e., S167 isNO), the program returns to S165. If data is not yet set up in the modem10e and reproduction is still continuing, S165 through S167 will all beNO determinations. Therefore, S165 through S167 are repeatedly executeduntil one is a YES determination.

Each time data is set up in the modem 10e (i.e., S165 is YES), data isretrieved from the address indicated by the pointer of the file in S168.Then the data is written in the internal register of the modem 10e inS169. The pointer is then incremented in S170. When data indicatingcompletion of reproduction is detected (i.e., S166 is YES), the internalregister of the modem 10e is put into a stop reproduction state in S171.Then the reproduced file is closed in S172, the sound reproductionroutine is completed, and the program proceeds to S180 of the flowchartin FIG. 6.

In S580, the reproduction counter is incremented by one. Next, whetheror not the value of the reproduction counter equals three is determinedin S190. When the sound reproduction process of FIG. 7 has beenconducted once, because the value of the reproduction counter is onlyone (i.e., S190 is NO), so the program returns to S160, whereupon soundreproduction processes are again executed. In this way, the schedulemessage is reproduced and outputted a second and a third time.

When the value of the reproduction counter reaches three (i.e., S190 isYES), whether or not the message confirmed flag is set to one isdetermined in S200. If the message confirmed flag has not yet been setto one after the initialization of S512 (i.e., S200 is NO), the programproceeds to S201 where a message Indicating that the schedule messagehas been reproduced at the designated time is printed out using thethermal head 18. Then the mature-message reproduction routine iscompleted.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, if a user hears the reproducedschedule message and so no longer needs to hear it, the user can depressthe stop key on the panel 17, thereby transmitting a command forterminating reproduction of the schedule message to the CPU 10a. If theuser depresses the stop key while S165 through S170 are being repeatedlyexecuted (i.e., S167 is YES), reproduction of the schedule message atthe speaker 14 is terminated in S173, the message confirmed flag is setto one in S174, the file with the sound data is closed in S175, and theprogram directly proceeds to S200. In this case, the message confirmedflag has been set to one in S174 (i.e., S200 is YES), the mature-messagereproduction routine is brought to an end, without conducting the stepS201.

As described above in the second embodiment, the time on which theschedule message is to be reproduced is stored in the RAM 10b, theschedule message is recorded, and the designated time is registered inthe clock circuit 10d during execution of the routine represented by theflowchart shown in FIG. 5. When the designate time arrives, by repeatingthe sound reproduction routine represented by the flowchart of FIG. 7,the schedule message is reproduced in a reproduced voice three times. Itcan be determined that a user is not nearby, if the schedule message isreproduced completely three times without interrupted by the stop key.Unless it is determined that a user is nearby, a statement that theschedule message has been reproduced is automatically printed out.Because the user can confirm the content of the printed out statement,the user can quickly visually confirm that a message has beenreproduced, without performing any operations. The user can then operatethe reproduction key on the panel 17 to reproduce the message.

A user can stop the sound reproduction routine of FIG. 7, and thereforestop reproduction of the schedule message, by operating a stop key onthe panel 17 as soon as he or she hears and understands the spokenschedule message. In this way, the statement of the schedule messagewill not be printed out unless necessary. When many schedule messagesare recorded, substantially the same processes are performed for eachschedule message at the corresponding designated time. Therefore thesame effects can be obtained.

In the second embodiment, a value of three in the reproduction counterproduces a YES determination in S190. However, the program can bedesigned so that any appropriate value such as one, two, four, or moretriggers a YES determination in S190.

Also, instead of printing out the statement that indicates a schedulemessage has been reproduced as described for S201 in the secondembodiment, the statement could be displayed on a liquid crystal displayprovided to the panel 17. The same results can be obtained as when theschedule messages are printed out.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart representing a routine according to amodification of the second preferred embodiment. The routine of FIG. 8is similar to the routine of FIG. 6, but between S160 and S180 includesan additional step S210, in which the same processes are performed as inS167 of FIG. 7. Also, when the user depresses the stop key, so that S210is a YES determination, the program proceeds to S211 and S212, where thesame processes are performed as in S174 and S175. Afterward the sameprocesses are performed as for S200 and on of FIG. 6. That is, when theuser depresses the stop key while the message (reproduction of a vocalmessage) is being reproduced (i.e., S210 is YES), after the entireportion of the schedule message is reproduced, the message confirmedflag is set to one in S211, the file for the sound data is closed inS212, and the mature-message reproduction routine is completed. When thestop key is depressed directly after reproduction is completed, themessage confirmed flag is set to one, the file of the sound data isclosed, and the present routine is completed in the same manner asdescribed above.

A further modification to the second embodiment is represented by theflowchart shown in FIG. 9. The flowchart of this modification is thesame as that of FIG. 8, except that S180 and S190 are omitted. A NOdetermination in S210 therefore results in the program proceeding toS200. With this design, the sound reproduction routine of FIG. 7 (S160)is performed only once. The processes in S211 and on are executed asdescribed above.

As described above, according to the facsimile machine of the secondembodiment, after a message is reproduced, but not acknowledged by auser, a statement is automatically printed out to indicate that themessage has been reproduced but not acknowledged and that the message isbeing retained in a memory portion. Therefore, without performing anyadditional operations, a user can visually acknowledge that a messagehas been reproduced. The user can therefore actuate the facsimilemachine to reproduce the message sound to certainly know the content ofthe message.

After a message is reproduced, but not acknowledged by a user, astatement may be automatically displayed to indicate that the messagehas been reproduced but not acknowledged and that the message is beingretained in a memory portion. Therefore, without performing anyadditional operations, a user can visually acknowledge that a messagehas been reproduced. The user can therefore actuate the facsimilemachine to reproduce the message sound to certainly know the content ofthe message.

Next, an explanation of a facsimile machine according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention will be provided while referring toFIGS. 10 through 12. The facsimile machine according to the thirdembodiment is similar to that described in the second embodiment, exceptfor the following points. The ROM 10c stores a mature/premature messagereproduction routine represented by the flowcharts in FIGS. 10 through12, in place of the mature-message reproduction routine represented bythe flowcharts in FIGS. 6 and 7. The panel 17 further includes afunction key and a play key for starting the mature/premature messagereproduction routine. All other components of the facsimile machine ofthis embodiment are the same as in the second embodiment, so theirexplanations will be omitted here.

According to the third embodiment, the mature/premature messagereproduction routine prestored in the ROM 10c is executed bysimultaneously depressing the function key and the play key on the panel17. In this example, it is assumed that a plurality of schedule messagesdesignated to be reproduced at different times are recorded in the RAM10b according to the processes represented in the flowchart of FIG. 5.These designated times for reproducing each schedule message areregistered in order in the clock circuit 10d.

Assume that when the mature/premature message reproduction routine ofFIG. 10 starts being executed, the RAM 10b stores at least one schedulemessage that has been reproduced at its designated time but that has notbeer, confirmed by the user. The sound data for the schedule messagethat has already reached its designated time and therefore that has beenreproduced but that has not been confirmed by the user will be referredto as "non-confirmed mature sound data" hereinafter. In this example,YES determination is achieved in S310, and the programn proceeds toS311. A file that stores the non-confirmed mature sound data with theearliest designated reproduction time is opened in S311. The timedesignated for reproducing the sound data is displayed on the panel 17in S312 until sound reproduction processes of S320 are completed.

The program then proceeds to S320 where a sound process routine(schedule message reproduction routine) represented by the flowchart ofFIG. 12 is performed. The sound process routine of FIG. 12 is almost thesame as that shown in FIG. 7 except that a portion of the process fromS172 on are different. That is, S172, S174, and S175 of FIG. 7 areeliminated, and the sound reproduction processes are completed after theexecution of S173. In the sound process routine of FIG. 2, the sounddata of the opened file is reproduced in S161 through S170 insubstantially the same manner as in S161 through S170 of the secondembodiment.

The information of the opened file is then saved in S340 and the file isclosed in S341 either when reproduction is completed (i.e., S166 isYES), whereupon the internal register of the modem 10e is put into astop reproduction state in S171, or when the user presses the stop keyon the panel 17 during reproduction (i.e., S167 is YES), whereuponreproduction is terminated in S173. Then whether or not any othernon-confirmed mature schedule message data still remains in the RAM 10bis determined in S350. If so (i,e., S350 is YES), S311 through S350 arerepeated in substantially the same manner as described above, the timedesignated for reproduction of the corresponding sound data beingcontinuously displayed through these processes.

On the other hand, when no non-confirmed mature sound data remains inthe RAM 10b, i.e., when the determination in either S310 or S350 becomesNO, the program proceeds to 3360 of FIG. 11. in S360, whether or not theRAM 10b stores sound data for a schedule message designated to bereproduced at a future time (referred to as a "premature sound data"hereinafter) is determined. If so (i.e., S36C is YES), a file storing apremature sound data with the earliest designated reproduction time(i.e., premature sound data which is to be reproduced first) is openedin S361, and the designated reproduction time is displayed on the panel17 in S362 while the message sound is being reproduced in S320.

Next, the program proceeds to S320 where the sound data of the fileopened in S361 is reproduced according the flowchart of FIG. 12 insubstantially the same manner as described in the second embodiment. AYES determination in S166 or S167 causes the program to proceed to S390via S171 and S173 respectively. in S390, the opened filed is closed. Aslong as premature sound data that has not yet been reproduced in thisroutine remains in the RAM, the processes in S361 through S400 arerepeated in substantially the same manner as described above. The timedesignated for reproducing sound data of each file that is opened inS361 is displayed in S362 all the while sound for the corresponding fileis being reproduced. When no premature sound data remains in the RAM10b, i.e., when either S360 or S400 is a NO defemination, theseprocesses are completed.

As described above in the third preferred embodiment, by operating keyson the panel 17, the existence of mature but unacknowledged messagesound data is serially displayed on the panel 17. Additionally, theexistence of premature schedule sound data is also displayed on thepanel 17. Therefore, when the tire designated for reproduction of aschedule message arrives, both the existence of a reproduced schedulemessage and premature schedule messages can be made known to the user.

Although the second and third embodiments describe the present inventionapplied for recording and reproduction of schedule messages, the presentinvention could be applied to recording and reproduction of any type ofmessages, for example, messages transmitted from a remote facsimilemachine or a remote telephone.

While the second and third embodiments are directed to a facsimilemachine, they may be applied to an answering machine.

A fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 13through 18.

This embodiment is directed to a facsimile machine which automaticallyerases message after an appropriate duration of time passes after themessage is automatically reproduced at its designated time. Between thedesignated reproduction time and the automatic erasure time, thefacsimile machine displays a statement that message that has beenalready reproduced, is still stored in a memory portion.

The configuration of the facsimile machine of this fourth embodiment isthe same as that of the second embodiment except for the followingpoints.

As shown in FIG. 17, the RAM 10b is sectioned into storage regionscluster No. 0 through cluster No. 99. Cluster No. 0 is allotted forstorage of RAM management data, an example of which is shown in FIG. 18.The remaining clusters 1 through 99 are regions in which can be storedsound data of schedule messages; FAX transmission data of images to betransmitted by the facsimile machine; and FAX reception data of imagesreceived by the facsimile machine. In the example shown in FIG. 17, FAXtransmission data is stored in clusters No. 1 through 11; sound data ofschedule messages is stored in clusters No. 12 through 21; and FAXreception data is stored in clusters No. 22 through 30. As shown in FIG.18, the storage region of the RAM in the cluster No. 0 stores managementdata for all the data stored from cluster No. 1. Each management dataincludes: data type of corresponding data stored in cluster Nos. 1-99(i.e., schedule data, FAX transmission data, or FAX reception data);cluster numbers where the corresponding data is stored; and attributeinformation of the corresponding data. (The management data for scheduledata, FAX transmission data, and FAX reception data will be referred toas "schedule management data, FAX transmission management data, and FAXreception management data," respectively.) Every time when data isstored in the RAM at either address in cluster Nos. 1 through 99, thesedata type, these cluster numbers, and these attribute informations arestored in the RAM management data storage region in cluster No. 0. Theattribute information for the schedule management data includes areproduced message flag F to indicate whether a corresponding schedulemessage has been reproduced.

In the ROM 10c are stored a main routine (schedule reproduction erasureroutine) represented by the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 13, 15 and 16; anda schedule recording routine represented by the flowchart shown in FIG.14.

The panel 17 further has an erase key for erasing a schedule messagestored in the RAM 10b.

When the facsimile machine with the above-described structure is readyto operate, the present time is monitored by the clock circuit 10d. Whenthe facsimile machine is turned ON, the CPU 10a starts performing themain routine shown in FIG. 13 to enter a standby state for waiting inputof any data.

When a user of the facsimile machine manipulates a record key providedto the panel 17 to record a schedule message (i.e., S512 and S514 areYES), the CPU 10a executes the schedule recording routine in S516. Inthe schedule recording routine of FIG. 14, when the user manipulates akey on the panel 17 to designate the time on which the schedule messageis desired to be reproduced (i.e., S601 is YES), in S602 the time forreproduction of the schedule message is stored as attribute informationof the schedule management data in cluster No. 0 (refer to FIG. 17 and18) of the RAM 10b. When the user lifts the handset 13 from the hook ofthe facsimile machine (i.e., S603 is YES), in S604 the user's schedulemessage he or she speaks into the internal microphone of the handset 13is stored in the RAM 10b at, for example, clusters 12 through 21.Processes of S604 are continued until the user places the handset 13back on the hook (i.e., S605 is YES) or until the predetermined amountof recording time (for example three minutes) runs out (i.e., S606 isYES), whichever occurs first. When the user places the handset 13 (i.e.,S605 is YES), or the predetermined amount of recording time runs outwhile the user still has not placed the handset 13 (i.e., S606 is YES),the program proceeds to S607.

In S607, the numbers of the clusters where the schedule message has beenstored in S604 are stored in cluster No. 0 at a location where thereproduction time designated to reproduce that schedule message has beenstored in S602. Also in S607, the reproduced message flag F for thecorresponding portion of the RAM 10b is cleared. Next, the designatedreproduction time of the schedule message stored in S602 is recorded inthe clock circuit 10d in S608. In other words, the time when theschedule message stored in the RAM 10b during S604 is to be reproducedis registered in the clock circuit 10d in S608. Then the schedule recordroutine is completed and the program returns to S512.

In order to record a plurality of schedule messages, the above-describedschedule recordation routine is performed repeatedly, so that aplurality of schedule messages are recorded, and plural reproductiontimes designated for reproducing the corresponding schedule messages areregistered in the clock circuit 10d.

When data is transmitted to the facsimile machine from a remotefacsimile machine (i.e., S512 is YES and S514 is NO), processes otherthan the schedule recordation routine are performed in S518, where thereceived data is stored in the RAM 10b with a resolution and an encodingformat. The program then returns to S512. Similarly, when data is to betransmitted from the facsimile machine to a remote facsimile machine(i.e., S512 is YES and S514 is NO), processes other than the schedulerecordation routine are also performed in S518, where the image dataobtained by the image sensor 15 is stored in the RAM 10b with aresolution and an encoding format. The program then returns to S512.

Because a designated reproduction time has been registered in the timecircuit 10d during S608 of the schedule recordation routine (S516),while data is not inputted (S512 is NO), a YES determination will bemade in S510. Next in S520, whether or not time data has beentransmitted from the clock circuit 10d is determined. That is, when thetime in the clock circuit 10d matches at least one of a plurality ofregistered times, the clock circuit 10d outputs time data that indicatesthe matched time to the CPU 10a. The determination in S520 is thereforemade based on whether or not the CPU 10a receives time data from theclock circuit 10d.

If, at this point, the time as monitored by the clock circuit 10d hasnot yet reached any of the registered times (i.e., S520 is NO), theprogram proceeds to S530 of FIG. 15, where whether or not a reproductionkey of the panel 17 has been depressed, thereby indicating the user'sdesire to reproduce the schedule message, is determined. If yes (i.e.,S530 is YES), the schedule message sound is reproduced. On the otherhand, if not (i.e., S530 is NO), whether or not an erase key on thepanel 17 has been depressed, thereby indicating the user's desire toerase the schedule message stored in the RAM 10b, is determined in S540.If yes (i.e., S540 is YES), the schedule message is erased. On the otherhand, if no indication has been received from the panel to reproduce orerase schedule messages (i.e., both S530 and S540 are NO), whether ornot any of the reproduced message flags F stored in correspondence withschedule messages in the cluster No. 0 of the RAM 10b are in an ONcondition is determined in S550.

In the example shown in FIG. 18, the reproduced message flag F for theschedule message stored in clusters No. 39 through 54 is ON, whichindicates that this schedule message has already been reproduced.Therefore, S550 will be a YES determination, so that the programproceeds to S552. In S552, a message is displayed on a liquid crystaldisplay of the panel 17 indicating that a schedule message that has beenreproduced remains stored in the RAM 10b. Then the program returns toS512.

On the other hand, when the time monitored by the clock circuit ladreaches at least one of the registered reproduction times, the clockcircuit 10d outputs time data to the CPU 10a. In this case, S520 becomesa YES determination, whereupon in S560 (see FIG. 16) the time (both thereproduction time and the erasure time) stored in cluster No. 0 of theRAM 10b is retrieved one at a time from the smallest address of thememory. Next, whether or not the time outputted by the clock circuit 10dmatches the time retrieved from the RAM 10b is determined in S562. ThenS560 through S564 are repeated, so that times stored in the RAM 10b areretrieved in order until those retrieved match those outputted from theclock circuit 10d. When a retrieved time matches the outputted time(i.e., S562 is YES), in S570 the reproduced message flag F for theschedule message that corresponds to the retrieved time is checked andwhether or not the reproduced message flag F is ON is determined.

Assuming now that the time outputted from the clock circuit 10d is 7:30of Jan. 19, 1994, the corresponding schedule message is the one storedin the cluster No. 31 through 38 in FIG. 18. Because the reproduced flagF of this schedule message is OFF (i.e., S550 is NO), the schedulemessage, that is, sound data stored in the RAM 10b, has not yet beenreproduced. Therefore, in S571 the switch SW2 switches so that the modem10e is connected to the speaker 14 and the modem 10e outputs analogsound data for the schedule message to the speaker 14. The speaker 14reproduces the schedule message as a spoken message. If the user isnearby, he or she can hear the schedule message at the designatedreproduction time. At this stage, the sound data for the schedulemessage and the schedule management data indicating the reproductiontime are maintained as is in the RAM 10b.

Next, the reproduced message flag F of the reproduced schedule messageis turned ON in S572. Then, the time that follows the reproduction timeby a predetermined period of time (for example, 24 hours) is registeredin the clock circuit 10d in S573. In this example, 7:30 of Jan. 20, 1994is registered. This time is when the sound data indicating the schedulemessage and the schedule management data indicating the reproductiontime will be automatically erased from the RAM 10b. In the same manneras in S564, whether or not all the times (including reproduction anderasure times) have been retrieved from the management data storingregion of the RAM 10b is determined in S574. If not all have beenretrieved (i.e., S574 is NO), the program returns to S560, whereupon thenext time data is retrieved and the above-described processes arerepeated. When all the times and date have been retrieved (i.e., S574 isYES), the program returns to S512, whereupon the program waits for inputor data. That is, the program waits for data to be received from aremote facsimile machine, data to be inputted from the panel 17, data tohe inputted from, the CCD sensor 15, and the like. The processes in S512through S552 are repeatedly executed.

When the NCU 11 receives image data as FAX reception data over thetelephone line 12 (i.e., S512 is YES and S514 is NO), the modem 10ereceives the FAX reception data via the switch SW2 and stores it in asmany unused clusters of the RAM 10b as necessary in S518. When adocument is to be transmitted as FAX transmission data (i.e., S512 isYES and S514 is NO), the document image retrieved by the CCD imagesensor 15 is stored as FAX transmission data in as many unused clustersof the RAM 10b as necessary in S518. The FAX transmission data isretrieved by the modem 10e and transmitted over the telephone line 12via the NCU 11 and the switch SW2.

When the time monitored by the clock circuit 10d arrives at 19:00 ofJan. 19, 1994, and therefore matches the time registered in the clockcircuit 10d for erasing the schedule message of cluster Nos. 39-54, thenthe clock circuit 10d outputs time data to the CPU 10a (i.e., S512 isNO, S510 is YES, and S520 is YES). The program proceeds to S560, wheretimes stored in cluster No. 0 of the RAM 10b are retrieved one at a timein order. Then S560 through S564 are repeated and times stored in theRAM 10b are retrieved in order until those retrieved match thoseoutputted from the clock circuit 10d. When a retrieved time matches theoutputted time (i.e., S562 is YES), the program proceeds to S570.

At this time, the schedule message that corresponds to the retrievedtime is stored in clusters No. 39 through 54 in FIG. 18. This schedulemessage has already been reproduced so its reproduced message flag F isON (i.e., S570 is YES). Therefore the schedule management data, such asthe erasure time, the reproduction time, the numbers of clusters used,and the sound data indicating the schedule message stored in the RAM10b, are erased in S575. Next, the time registered in the clock circuit10d is erased in S576 and the program proceeds to S574, whereupon thesame processes described above are repeated.

The facsimile machine of the present embodiment can be designed so thatthe duration of the predetermined time can be manually changed in S573.This allows users to select how long he or she wants schedule messagesto be maintained in (that is, not erased from) the RAM 10b after theschedule messages have been reproduced. Because data stored in the RAM10b is automatically erased at a time that, in essence, is determined bythe user, data will remain in the RAM 10b for a duration or time that isoptimally appropriate for the user.

In the above description, the time registered in the clock circuit 10dis erased in S576. However, output of the time data from the clockcircuit 10d could tender the time registered in the clock circuit 10dinto a condition where it can be written over when a new time isregistered.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, a schedulemessage and the time for its reproduction are stored in the RAM 10b assound data and schedule management data. Also, the reproduction time isregistered in the clock circuit 10d. Afterward, when the present time asmonitored in the clock circuit 10d matches the reproduction time, theschedule message is automatically reproduced by the speaker 14. If theuser is nearby, he or she can listen to the schedule message when it isreproduced. Also, an automatic erasure time, when the data indicatingthe schedule message and the reproduction time is to be erased, isregistered in the clock circuit 10d while a schedule message is beingautomatically reproduced. The automatic erasure time is determined basedon a predetermined duration of time after the automatic reproductiontime. When the present time as monitored by the clock circuit 10dreaches the automatic erasure time, the data indicating the schedulemessage and the reproduction time is automatically erased. Therefore,there is no problem of a user forgetting to manually erase unnecessarydata. Because data indicating unnecessary schedule messages andreproduction times are erased at appropriate times, the memory of theRAM 10b will not be wasted.

Sound data indicating a schedule message is maintained in the RAM 10bfrom when the schedule message is reproduced until the automatic erasuretime. Because this is displayed on the panel 17 in S552, a user canconfirm the schedule message by manipulating the reproduction key on thepanel 17 to cause the speaker 14 to reproduce the schedule message.Therefore a user will be able to hear and confirm the content ofpreviously reproduced messages. In this case, by setting an appropriatepredetermined duration of time, the data will never be erased before theuser hears the schedule message.

The memory in which the schedule message and the reproduction time arestored as sound data and schedule management data respectively, that is,the RAM 10b, is for storing FAX transmission data and FAX receptiondata. Since both are stored in the same memory, and other memory isunnecessary, costs are reduced.

That data for reproduced messages remains in the memory need not becontinuously displayed by the liquid crystal display unit of the panel17 as described in S552 of the fourth embodiment, but could instead bedisplayed intermittently.

In the fourth embodiment, the determination of S520 is made based onwhether or not the present time as monitored by the clock circuit 10dmatches the time registered in the clock circuit 10d. However, theprogram need not include S608 where the reproduction time is registered,S573 where the erasure time is registered, or S576 where the timesregistered in the clock circuit 10d are erased. Instead, reproductiontimes and/or automatic erasure times can be stored arranged in the RAM10b in the order reproduction or erasure is to be performed (as opposedto the order in which the times were registered). The present time ofthe clock circuit 10d could be compared with the earliest of the timesstored in the RAM 10b. The determination in S520 could then be performedbased on a single judgement whether or not the present time of the clockcircuit 10d matches the earliest reproduction time or erasure time inthe RAM 10b.

In the fourth embodiment, the automatic erasure time is described asbeing set after the message is reproduced. However, the automaticerasure time can be set as soon as the present time monitored by theclock circuit 10d reaches the message reproduction time.

In the fourth embodiment, a message is described as erased from thememory at the automatic erasure time. However, the program can bemodified so that reproduced messages are erased from the memory when thememory becomes too full.

The facsimile machine can be designed so that the predetermined durationof time when a message is automatically erased after being reproducedcan be changed. The facsimile machine can be designed so that messagesare reproduced once more at the automatic erasure time. Additionally,erasure of messages can be delayed further until the memory is full.

According to the facsimile machine of the fourth embodiment, when thetime of the clock reaches the designated reproduction time, the messagestored in the memory means is automatically reproduced. Afterward, whenthe time of the clock reaches the automatic erasure time, which is setbased on the designated reproduction time, the message is automaticallyerased from the memory. As a result, even if a user is not near thefacsimile machine when the message is reproduced, the user has anopportunity to listen to a message stored in the memory from when thetime of the clock reaches the designated reproduction time or from whenthe message is reproduced until the automatic erasure time. When thetime of the clock reaches the automatic erasure time, the message andthe designated reproduction time are automatically, not manually, erasedfrom the memory. Therefore memory space of the memory will not be wastedand can be effectively used.

A statement, which reads that a reproduced message is being maintainedas sound data in the memory, is displayed from when the time of theclock reaches the designated reproduction time until the automaticerasure time, that is, between when the message is reproduced to when itis erased. Therefore, even after the message is reproduced, the user canvisually confirm that a message exists and again reproduce the message.

While the invention has been described in detail with reference tospecific embodiments thereof, it would be apparent to those skilled inthe art that various changes and modifications may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of whichis defined by the attached claims.

For example, the first embodiment is directed to a telephone (answeringmachine) and the second through fourth embodiments are directed to afacsimile machine. However, the present invention can be applied to anyinformation transmission/reception device, such as a telephone, afacsimile machine, a computer or the like. The informationtransmission/reception device need not record messages inputted directlyto the information transmission/reception device, but can instead recordmessages transmitted from a remote information transmission/receptiondevice. Further, the second through fourth embodiments are directed torecording of schedule messages. However, the present invention isapplicable to recording of any type of messages.

What is claim is:
 1. A facsimile machine for transmitting information toand receiving information from a remote facsimile machine,comprising:data input means for inputting various data including sounddata; transmission/reception control means for transmitting at least oneof image data and sound data as transmission data to a remote facsimilemachine and for receiving at least one of sound data and image data fromthe remote facsimile machine; sound data recording means for recordingat least one of sound data inputted by the sound data input means andsound data received by the transmission/reception control means; soundreproduction means for reproducing the sound data recorded by the sounddata recording means; visualizing means for visualizing various data;clock means for monitoring time; memory means for storing timeinformation on time at which the sound data is desired to be reproduced,the time information being transmitted from the remote facsimile machinewhen the sound data is transmitted from the remote facsimile machine andbeing inputted by the data input means when the sound data is inputtedby the data input means; and control means for controlling the soundreproduction means to reproduce the sound data when the time measured bythe clock means reaches the time at which the sound data is desired tobe reproduced, and for controlling said visualizing means, after thesound data is reproduced, to visualize an information that the sounddata is reproduced and is retained in said recording means.
 2. Afacsimile machine of claim 1, wherein the visualizing means includesprinting means for printing data onto printing medium, the control meanscontrolling the printing means, after the sound data is reproduced, toindicate a statement that the sound data is reproduced and is retainedin said recording means.
 3. A facsimile machine of claim 1, wherein thevisualizing means includes display means for displaying data, thecontrol means controlling the display means, after the sound data isreproduced, to indicate a statement that the sound data is reproducedand is retained in said recording means.
 4. A facsimile machine of claim1, further comprising:erasure time setting means for, when the sounddata is reproduced, setting an automatic erasure time when thereproduced sound data is desired to be erased; and erasure control meansfor, when the time measured by the clock means reaches the automaticerasure time, automatically erasing the sound data.
 5. A facsimilemachine of claim 4, wherein the erasure time setting means sets theautomatic erasure time, when the time measured by the clock meansreaches the time at which the sound data is desired to be reproduced. 6.A facsimile machine of claim 4, wherein the erasure time setting meanssets the automatic erasure time, when the control means controls thereproduction means to reproduce the sound data.